Connect with us

Featured Articles

Juan Manuel Marquez Conference Call Recap

Published

on

If there’s a shred of self- doubt lurking in the heart and soul of Mexican tough-guy Juan Manuel Marquez, he’s done a pretty good job of hiding it. If it exists, it’s buried under the frustration of knowing you did enough to win, but they never handed you the blue ribbon.

Three times he’s fought Manny Pacquiao and three times he’s gone home with the bitter taste of coming in second or tied in fights he thought he won, fights that could have been decided with a coin flip.

For Marquez, his last fight with Pacquiao was probably the most exasperating loss of the trilogy. That was a fight that many at ringside thought he won. It should have been the equalizer, leveling off the score to 1-1-1 instead of 0-2-1 in favor of Pacquiao. But that’s the fight game. Too many decisions are still a crap shoot.

So now Marquez, a three-division champ, gets another chance to beat Pacquiao, and though it probably doesn’t seem fair, he knows his only guarantee of a win might come with a knockout. That’s because they can’t rob you of points and a win if the referee is standing over the other guy counting him out.

Of course, stopping Pacquiao is like stopping a runaway train. He’s almost impossible to slow down and there’s a good chance there will be casualties.

“It’s going to be difficult to knock him out, but not impossible,” said Marquez on a Tuesday conference call promoting his fourth fight with Pacquiao, scheduled for Dec. 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on HBO pay-per-view. “I think I needed a KO the last time.”

A KO sure would have helped the last time. But that’s why a knockout is part of his fight plan for this fight. Old habits are hard to break, and he’s gone winless in three close tries against Pacquiao.

“Without a doubt, I thought I won the (last) fight clearly,” he said. “The only ones who didn’t think I won were the judges.”

Fighting as welterweights, the two will be fighting for what the WBO calls the “Champion of the Decade.” The WBO even commissioned a designer to come up with a new title belt.

Asked if he was concerned about the judging again, Marquez took the high road, saying he couldn’t concern himself with something out of his control. He had other things on his agenda to concentrate on, like Pacquiao and what he might do different this time around.

Or what he might do the same.

“The only thing I’m asking is that the judges be fair,” Marquez said. “And I have all the faith in the world that they will do the fair thing.”

Optimism and faith are rare partners in the fight game.

Will his four fights with Pacquiao be his legacy? Marquez said he’d like to think his career is a little more complex than that.

“You can’t (quantify) my career on just four fights,” he said. “A lot of my fights were very important to my career. I’m very happy with what I’ve done in the ring and I’m very happy to have these four fights with Manny.”

When his fighting days are finally over, someone asked Marquez what he thought his relationship with Pacquiao might be.

“My relationship with him is one of respect,” he said. “I respect him and I think he respects me. We’re professionals and we carry that respect into the ring with us.

“When we’re done fighting, I definitely will sit down with him and we can start a friendship. Everything will be left in the ring. In the future, I don’t see why we couldn’t start a friendship.”

But it sure would be nice to have a blue ribbon.

Share The Sweet Science experience!

Featured Articles

Emanuel Navarrete and Rafael Espinoza Shine in Phoenix

Published

on

Emanuel-Navarrete-and-Rafael-Espinoza-Shine-in-Phoenix

Emanuel Navarrete and Rafael Espinoza Shine in Phoenix

PHOENIX – Saturday was a busy night on the global boxing scene, and it’s quite likely that the howling attendees in Phoenix’s Footprint Center witnessed the finest overall card of the international schedule. The many Mexican flags on display in the packed, scaled down arena signaled the event’s theme.

Co-main events featured rematches that arose from a pair of prior crowd-pleasing slugfests. Each of tonight’s headlining bouts ended at the halfway point, but that was their only similarity.

Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete, now 39-2-1 (32), defended his WBO Junior Lightweight belt with a dramatic stoppage of more-than-willing Oscar Valdez, 32-3 (24). The 29-year-old champion spoke of retirement wishes, but after dominating a blazing battle in which he scored three knockdowns, his only focus was relaxing during the holidays then getting back to what sounded like long-term business.

“Valdez was extremely tough in this fight,” said Navarrete. “I knew I had to push him back and I did. You are now witnessing the second phase of my career and you can expect great things from me in 2025.”

“I don’t really know about the future,” said the crestfallen, 33-year-old Valdez. “No excuses. He did what he wanted to and I couldn’t.”

Navarrete, a three-division titlist, came up one scorecard short of a fourth belt in his previous fight last May, a split decision loss to Denys Berinchyk. This was Navarrete’s fourth Arizona appearance so he was cheered like a homeboy, but Valdez was definitely the crowd favorite, evident from the cheers that erupted as both fighters were shown arriving in glistening, low rider automobiles.

Both men came out throwing huge shots, but it was Navarrete who scored a flash knockdown in the first round, setting the tone for the rest of the fight. There was fierce action in every frame, with Navarrete getting the best of most of it, but even when he was in trouble Valdez roared back and brought the crowd to their feet. He got dropped again at the very end of round four, and Navarrete sent his mouthpiece into orbit the round after that.

When Navarrette drove Valdez into the ropes during round six it looked like referee Raul Caiz, Jr was about to intervene, but before he could decide, Navarrete finished matters himself with a perfect left to the ribs that crumpled Valdez into a KO at 2:42.

“He talked about getting ready to retire soon so I told him we had to fight again right now,” said Valdez prior to the rematch. There were numerous “be careful what you wish for” type predictions of doom and he entered the ring at around a two to one underdog, understanding the contest’s make or break stakes. “Boxing penalizes you if you have a lot of losses,” observed Valdez. “It’s not like other sports where you can lose and do better next season. In boxing, most people don’t want to see you again after a couple of losses.”

What Valdez might decide remains to be seen, but even in defeat he proved to be a warrior worth watching.

Co-Feature

After their epic, razor-close encounter almost exactly a year ago, it was obvious Rafael Espinoza, and fellow 30-year-old Robeisy Ramirez should meet again for the WBO featherweight title belt Espinoza earned by an upset majority decision. Espinoza turned the trick again this time around, inside the distance, but it was more anti-climactic than anything like toe-to-toe.

The 6’1” Espinoza, now 26-0 (22), was the aggressor from the opening frame, but 5’6” Ramirez, 14-3 (9) employed his short stature well to stay out of immediate danger and countered to the body for a slight edge. The Cuban challenger avoided much of their previous firefight and initially controlled the tempo. The crowd jeered him for staying away but it was an effective strategy, at least at first.

Espinoza connected much better in the fifth round and looked fresher as Ramirez’s face rapidly reddened. Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere in round six, Ramirez took a punch then raised a glove in surrender. Whatever the reason, even looking at Ramirez’s swollen right eye, it looked like a “No Mas” moment. Replays showed a straight right to the eye socket, but that didn’t stop the crowd from hooting their disgust after ref Chris Flores signaled the end at 0:12.

***

Richard Torrez, Jr, now 12-0 (11), displayed his Olympic silver medal pedigree in a heavyweight bout against Issac Munoz, 18-2-1 (15). Torrez, 236.6, found his punching range quickly with southpaw leads as Munoz, 252, tried to stand his ground but looked hurt by early body work that forced him into the ropes. He was gasping for breath as Torrez peppered him in the second, and Munoz went back to his corner on unsteady legs.

Munoz’s team should have thought about saving him for another day in the third as he ate big shots. Luckily, referee Raul Caiz, Jr. was wiser and had seen enough, waving it off for a TKO at 0:59.

“I don’t train for the opponent,” reflected Torrez, who isn’t far from true contender status. “Every time I train, I train for a world championship fight.”

***

Super-lightweight Lindolfo Delgado, 139.9, improved to 22-0 (16), and took another step into the world title picture against Jackson Marinez, now 22-4 (10), 139.2.

On paper this junior welterweight matchup appeared fairly even, and Marinez managed to keep it that way for almost half the scheduled ten rounds against a solid prospect but Delgado kept upping the ante until Marinez was out of chips. The assembled swarm was whistling for more action after three tentative opening frames, as Delgado loaded up but couldn’t put much offense together.

That changed in the 4th when Delgado connected with solid crosses. In the fifth, a fine combination dropped Marinez into a delayed knockdown and a wicked follow-up right to the guts finished the wobbly Marinez, who had nothing to be ashamed of, off in the arms of ref Wes Melton. Official TKO time was 2:13.

In a matter of concurrent programming, Saturday also held a lot of highly publicized college football and basketball games which likely detracted from the larger mainstream audience and media coverage this fight card deserved. That’s a shame but you can’t fault boxing, Top Rank, or any of the fighters for that because, once again, they all came through big time in Phoenix.

Photos credit: Mikey Williams / Top Rank

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading

Featured Articles

Brooklyn’s Richardson Hitchins Wins IBF 140-Pound Title in Puerto Rico

Published

on

Brooklyn's-Richardson-Hitchins-Wins-IBF-140-Pound-Title-in-Puerto-Rico

A change of champions took place as Richardson Hitchins rallied from a lethargic start to wrest the IBF super lightweight title from Australia’s Liam Paro by split decision on Saturday in Puerto Rico at Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan.

Brooklyn has another world champion.

“I’m just happy to be a world champion,” Hitchins said.

Hitchins (19-0, 7 KOs) proved that his style of fighting could prevail over Paro (25-1, 15 KOs) who had previously knocked off another Puerto Rican champion, Subriel Matias.

Both fighters expected a different kind of encounter as Paro immediately started the fight with constant pressure and short, precise combinations. Hitchins had expected a different attack and seemed hesitant to pull the trigger.

“I couldn’t get my timing,” said Hitchins. “I thought he was going to put the pressure on me.”

Soon Hitchins ramped up his attack.

After Paro had jumped ahead with a constant strategic attack, Hitchins slipped into second gear behind a sharp right counter that found the target repeatedly.

Things began to swing in the Brooklyn fighter’s favor.

Those long arms came in handy for Hitchins who snapped off deadeye rights through Paro’s guard repeatedly. Soon the southpaw Aussie’s eye began to show signs of damage.

But Paro never quit.

Aside from using quick counters, Paro began firing lead lefts and the occasional right hook and uppercut. But seldom did he target the body. Slowly, the rounds began mounting in favor of the Brooklyn fighter.

Perhaps the best blow of the fight took place in the ninth round as Hitchins connected flush with a one-two combination. Though stunned, Paro trudged forward looking to immediately counter.

He mostly failed.

Still, Paro knew the rounds were not one-sided and he could close the distance. The Aussie fighter did well in the 11th and 12th round but could not land a significant blow. After 12 rounds one judge saw Paro the winner 117-11, while two others saw Hitchins the winner 116-112 for the new IBF titlist.

“He’s a hell of a boxer,” said Paro who loses the title in his first defense. “It’s not a loss, it’s a lesson.”

Other Bouts

A battle between Puerto Rican featherweights saw Henry Lebron (20-0) out-battle Christopher Diaz-Velez by decision after 10 action-packed rounds.

In a lightweight fight Agustin Quintana (21-2-1) gave Marc Castro (13-1) his first loss to win by split decision after 10 rounds.

Welterweight Jose Roman Vazquez (14-1) defeated Jalil Hackett (9-1) by split decision after 10 rounds.

Photo credit: Melina Pizano / Matchroom

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading

Featured Articles

A Six-Pack of Undercard Action from the Top Rank Card in Phoenix

Published

on

A-six-pack-of-undercard-action-from-the-Top-Rank-card-in-Phoenix

A Six-Pack of Undercard Action from the Top Rank Card in Phoenix

Top Rank promoted a 10-fight card tonight at the NBA arena in Phoenix. The undercard included welterweight standout Giovani Santillan and a bevy of young prospects.

Based on his showing tonight, Albert “Chop Chop” Gonzalez is a prospect on the cusp of being a contender. A high-octane fighter with ring smarts that bely his tender age, the 22-year-old Gonzalez pitched a near 8-round shutout over Argentina’s Gerardo Antonio Perez, advancing his record to 12-0 (7). Although Gonzalez was forced to go the distance after five straight wins by stoppage, Perez, an Argentine who had never been stopped and was better than his 12-6-1 record, had a granite chin.

LA junior bantamweight Steven Navarro improved to 5-0 (4 KOs) with a second-round stoppage of Gabriel Bernardi (7-2). Navarro had Bernardi, a Puerto Rican, on the canvas twice before referee Raul Caiz Jr waived it off.

In a welterweight contest slated for “10,” Giovani Santillan improved to 33-1 (18 KOs) at the expense of Fredrick Lawson who retired on his stool after only one round. It was a nice confidence-booster for Santillan who took a lot of punishment in his last fight vs. Brian Norman Jr, a fight that Santillan was expected to win. However, tonight’s win should come with an asterisk as Lawson, a Chicago-based Ghanaian, is damaged goods and ought not be permitted to fight again, notwithstanding his 30-6 record. (All six of his losses, including the last three, came inside the distance.)

In a welterweight contest slated for six rounds, 19-year-old SoCal prospect Art Berrera Jr advanced to 7-0 (5 KOs) with a second-round TKO over Juan Carlos Campos (4-2) who fights out of Sioux City, Iowa. Referee Wes Melton lost his balance as he stepped in to stop the one-sided affair with a nano-second remaining in round two and went flying into the ropes, but was seemingly unhurt.

In a major surprise, Cesar Morales, a former Mexican national amateur champion, lost his pro debut to unheralded Kevin Mosquera, a 23-year-old Ecuadorian. A flash knockdown in the opening minute of final round factored into the result. The judges had it 39-36 and 38-37 for Mosquera (3-0-1) and 38-38.

The night did not start well for Morales’ trainer Robert Garcia who had five fighters in action tonight.

In the lid-lifter, 21-year-old Las Vegas lightweight DJ Zamora, a protege of the late Roger Mayweather, improved to 15-0 (10 KOs) with a second-round stoppage of Argentine import Roman Ruben Reynoso (22-6-2). Zamora put Reynoso on the canvas in the opening round with a left to the solar plexus and knocked him down in the second round with a counter left to the chin. Reynoso made it to his feet, but had no beef when the fight was waived off. The official time was 1:56 of round two.

Bouts involving former Olympians Lindolfo Delgado and Richard Torres Jr plus two compelling world title rematches round out the 10-fight card. TSS correspondent Phil Woolever is ringside. Check back later for his post-fight reports.

Photo credit: Mikey Williams / Top Rank

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Remembering-the-Macho-Man-Hector-Camacho-a-Great-Sporting-Character
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Remembering the Macho Man, Hector Camacho, a Great Sporting Character

The-Hauser-Report-Some-Thoughts-on-Mike-Tyson-v-Jake-Paul
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Hauser Report: Some Thoughts on Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul

Avila-Perspective-Chap-301-Mike-Tyson-Returns-Latino-Night-in-Riyadh
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 304: Mike Tyson Returns; Latino Night in Riyadh

Boots-and-Bam-Win-in-Philly
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Boots and Bam Win in Philly

Golden-Boy-in-Royadh-Results-Zurdo-Ramirez-Unifies-Cruiserweight-Titles
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Golden Boy in Riyadh Results: Zurdo Ramirez Unifies Cruiserweight Titles

The-Davis-Brothers-Hit-the-Perfecta-on-Their-Norfolk-Homecoming
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

The Davis Brothers Hit the Trifecta in Their Norfolk Homecoming

Say-It-Ain't-So-Oliver-McCall-Returns-to-the-Ring-Next-Week
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Say It Ain’t So: Oliver McCall Returns to the Ring Next Week

RIP-Israel-Vazquez-who-has-Passed-Away-at-age-46
Featured Articles5 days ago

R.I.P Israel Vazquez who has Passed Away at age 46

Boxing-Odds-and-Ends-Oscar-Collazo-Reimagining-The-Ring-Magazine-and-More
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Boxing Odds and Ends: Oscar Collazo, Reimagining ‘The Ring’ Magazine and More

Avila-Perspective-Chap-304-A-Year-of-Transformation-in-Boxing-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 304: A Year of Transformation in Boxing and More

Hake-Paul-Defeats-Mike-Tyson-and-Other-Resulys-from-Arlington-Texas
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Jake Paul Defeats Mike Tyson plus Other Results from Arlington, Texas

The-Noted-Trainer-Kevin-Henry-Lucky-to-be-Alive-Reflects-on-Devin-Haney-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The Noted Trainer Kevin Henry, Lucky to Be Alive, Reflects on Devin Haney and More

Fighting-on-His-Home-Turf-Galal-Yafai-Pulverizes-Sunny-Edwards
Featured Articles1 week ago

Fighting on His Home Turf, Galal Yafai Pulverizes Sunny Edwards

Philly's-Jesse-Jart-Continues-His-Quest-plus-Thoughts-on-Yuson-Paul-and-Boots-Ennis
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Philly’s Jesse Hart Continues His Quest plus Thoughts on Tyson-Paul and ‘Boots’ Ennis

Boxing-Was-a-Fertile-Arena-for-Award-Winning-Sportswriter-Gary-Smith
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Boxing was a Fertile Arena for Award-Winning Sportswriter Gary Smith

Remembering-Prizefighters-Danny-Nardico-and-Billy-Murray-A-Story-for-Veterans-Day
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Remembering Prizefighters Danny Nardico and Billy Murray: A Story for Veterans Day

Avila-Perspective-Chap-306-Flyweight-Rumble-in-England-Ryan-Garcia-in-SoCal
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 306: Flyweight Rumble in England, Ryan Garcia in SoCal

Avila-Perspective-Chap-307-Destination-Puerto-Rico-Israel-Vazquez-and-More
Featured Articles2 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 307: Destination Puerto Rico, Israel Vazquez and More

The-IBHOF-Unveils-its-Newest-Inductees-Manny-Pacquiao-is-the-Icing-on-the-Cake
Featured Articles3 days ago

The IBHOF Unveils its Newest Inductees: Manny Pacquiao is the Icing on the Cake

Navarrete-Valdez-and-Espinoza-Ramirez-Rematches-Headline-Phoenix-Fight-Fiesta
Featured Articles3 days ago

Navarrete-Valdez and Espinoza-Ramirez Rematches Headline Phoenix Fight Fiesta 

Emanuel-Navarrete-and-Rafael-Espinoza-Shine-in-Phoenix
Featured Articles13 hours ago

Emanuel Navarrete and Rafael Espinoza Shine in Phoenix

Brooklyn's-Richardson-Hitchins-Wins-IBF-140-Pound-Title-in-Puerto-Rico
Featured Articles13 hours ago

Brooklyn’s Richardson Hitchins Wins IBF 140-Pound Title in Puerto Rico

A-six-pack-of-undercard-action-from-the-Top-Rank-card-in-Phoenix
Featured Articles17 hours ago

A Six-Pack of Undercard Action from the Top Rank Card in Phoenix

Recaps-from-London-where-Bentley-Noakes-and-Okolie-Emerged-Victorious
Featured Articles19 hours ago

Recaps from London where Bentley, Noakes, and Okolie Emerged Victorious

Avila-Perspective-Chap-307-Destination-Puerto-Rico-Israel-Vazquez-and-More
Featured Articles2 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 307: Destination Puerto Rico, Israel Vazquez and More

The-IBHOF-Unveils-its-Newest-Inductees-Manny-Pacquiao-is-the-Icing-on-the-Cake
Featured Articles3 days ago

The IBHOF Unveils its Newest Inductees: Manny Pacquiao is the Icing on the Cake

Navarrete-Valdez-and-Espinoza-Ramirez-Rematches-Headline-Phoenix-Fight-Fiesta
Featured Articles3 days ago

Navarrete-Valdez and Espinoza-Ramirez Rematches Headline Phoenix Fight Fiesta 

RIP-Israel-Vazquez-who-has-Passed-Away-at-age-46
Featured Articles5 days ago

R.I.P Israel Vazquez who has Passed Away at age 46

Fighting-on-His-Home-Turf-Galal-Yafai-Pulverizes-Sunny-Edwards
Featured Articles1 week ago

Fighting on His Home Turf, Galal Yafai Pulverizes Sunny Edwards

Avila-Perspective-Chap-306-Flyweight-Rumble-in-England-Ryan-Garcia-in-SoCal
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 306: Flyweight Rumble in England, Ryan Garcia in SoCal

The-Noted-Trainer-Kevin-Henry-Lucky-to-be-Alive-Reflects-on-Devin-Haney-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The Noted Trainer Kevin Henry, Lucky to Be Alive, Reflects on Devin Haney and More

Remembering-the-Macho-Man-Hector-Camacho-a-Great-Sporting-Character
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Remembering the Macho Man, Hector Camacho, a Great Sporting Character

Avila-Perspective-Chap-304-A-Year-of-Transformation-in-Boxing-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 304: A Year of Transformation in Boxing and More

Philly's-Jesse-Jart-Continues-His-Quest-plus-Thoughts-on-Yuson-Paul-and-Boots-Ennis
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Philly’s Jesse Hart Continues His Quest plus Thoughts on Tyson-Paul and ‘Boots’ Ennis

Boxing-Odds-and-Ends-Oscar-Collazo-Reimagining-The-Ring-Magazine-and-More
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Boxing Odds and Ends: Oscar Collazo, Reimagining ‘The Ring’ Magazine and More

The-Hauser-Report-Some-Thoughts-on-Mike-Tyson-v-Jake-Paul
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Hauser Report: Some Thoughts on Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul

Golden-Boy-in-Royadh-Results-Zurdo-Ramirez-Unifies-Cruiserweight-Titles
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Golden Boy in Riyadh Results: Zurdo Ramirez Unifies Cruiserweight Titles

Hake-Paul-Defeats-Mike-Tyson-and-Other-Resulys-from-Arlington-Texas
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Jake Paul Defeats Mike Tyson plus Other Results from Arlington, Texas

Avila-Perspective-Chap-301-Mike-Tyson-Returns-Latino-Night-in-Riyadh
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 304: Mike Tyson Returns; Latino Night in Riyadh

Say-It-Ain't-So-Oliver-McCall-Returns-to-the-Ring-Next-Week
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Say It Ain’t So: Oliver McCall Returns to the Ring Next Week

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending

Advertisement